A new partnership in North East Lincolnshire has brought more than a thousand children into practical environmental learning, linking school workshops with community litter-picking sessions. The initiative pairs North East Lincolnshire Council with James Elliott, known for his volunteer work on the River Freshney, as part of a broader effort to keep streets, waterways and public spaces cleaner.
Elliott, who began volunteering in 2020, has widened his work beyond the river to support the Council’s Clean and Green programme. He said: “I’m thrilled to be doing so much with schools. Litter picks are great and they help no end, but to get into these places and teach the kids something is so important.
“They are going to be looking after this borough in the years to come and I want to do my bit to ensure, they have the knowledge they need to make it a better place.”
School sessions at Reynolds, Elliston, and William Barcroft Primary Academies were the first to run and have already reached more than 1,000 pupils. Alongside classroom learning, Elliott continues to highlight the link between local litter and the wider environment, noting the role inland waterways play.
Councillor Henry Hudson, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Net Zero, said: “This work is so important. Not only to ensure North East Lincolnshire is cleaner, but also to teach future generations about recycling and why it’s so important.”
He added: “I would like to thank James, our Street Cleansing teams and all the other volunteers across the borough for their hard work in making all this possible. The impact they are making is invaluable to the community.”
The partnership aims to keep expanding school outreach and community activity, building habits that encourage younger generations to care for the places and wildlife around them.
Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council
